Decorative mirrored lipstick attachment

ABSTRACT

This invention provides an improved mirrored lipstick accessory that attaches and detaches easily to various types of lip cosmetic containers, and also provides the user with an aesthetic value and an interchangeable accessory-like quality. This present invention allows the user to view their lips at close range and apply lip cosmetics accurately and conveniently in a single step, wherever the user may be. In the application of lip color, once the invention is slipped onto the lipstick, this invention requires no more steps than is required in merely opening and closing the lipstick container. When the lip cosmetic is all used, the invention can be easily removed and attached to a new lipstick container of the user&#39;s choice.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] With the use of lipsticks and lip cosmetics in general, it is the norm to take off a cap then set it down in order to pick up a hand-held mirror or to utilize another mirror fixture such as in a bathroom. There is a lack of a one-step way to apply lip color and yet have a close-range view of one's lips without having to juggle at least three items, (a cap, mirror, and lipstick) or having to get up to go find a wall mirror. The present invention allows the user to apply lip cosmetics accurately and conveniently in a single step. This invention also provides an improved mirror-quality reflective surface that attaches and detaches easily to various types of lip cosmetic containers, and also provides the user with an aesthetic value and accessory-like quality

[0005] 1. Field of The Invention

[0006] Cosmetic Accessory

[0007] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,478 is a lipstick holder and lip brush case with mirror and clip, all in one combined unit that is large and cumbersome and requires the usage of a lip brush.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,696 is a mirrored lipstick container that has to be manufactured with the lip cosmetic in the housing.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,683 is a lipstick case attachment that engages longitudinally onto a lipstick but would not be able to accommodate other lip cosmetics such as lip gloss tubes, lip gloss wands, and a variety of other irregular lipstick cases.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,755 is another lipstick container in which the lip cosmetic is a part of the housing itself. The container is not interchangeable nor is it removable.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,740 is a mirror unit for a lip pencil and does not apply to the conventional lipstick containers.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,905 is a lipstick container cap that retrofits onto existing lipsticks. This would require the user to do away with the original lipstick cap that the cosmetic company made. Users of the many expensive lipsticks on the market today would not want to do away with the original cap. This prior art compromises the value of the original lipstick. It would not be able to accommodate a variety of lip cosmetics as well.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,688 is a mirrored unit that attaches to only the conventional lip pencil and lipstick containers. This prior art does not allow for other lip cosmetics to be attached such as tubes and lip gloss wands that are so popular in the market today.

[0015] This present invention is different and an improvement from prior art in that its simple ring-like design and elasticity allows it to fit onto a wide variety of lip cosmetic containers such as wand tubes, squeeze tubes, and numerous irregularly shaped lipsticks that have never been in the marketplace in years past. Although there have been many mirrored lipstick attachments patented, none like the present invention can also provide interchangeability with such a wide variety of other lipsticks, since users do possess many other types and colors of lipsticks, while keeping the original lipstick container intact. No other related prior art can provide its user with aesthetic appeal to suit the users' tastes, since the user can choose from many different designs, colors, and styles. The invention not only provides the user with function, but with the ability to “accessorize” one's lipsticks, which are the most often used cosmetics in a public setting.

[0016] Whereas U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,478 can only hold a conventional round lipstick, this present invention allows the user to attach it to many different shapes of lipsticks; it does not require the lipstick to be of one standard size and shape.

[0017] Whereas U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,683 does allow the mirrored unit to interchangeably fit onto other lipsticks limited to the conventional, cylindrical and straight lipstick containers, this present invention can fit onto a wide variety of lipstick containers that are shaped irregularly.

[0018] Whereas U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,740 is strictly for lip pencils, this present invention can be attached not only to lip pencils, but to conventionally-shaped cylindrical lipsticks, and decoratively irregular-shaped lipsticks, and tubes.

[0019] Whereas U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,688 attaches to only conventionally-sized cylindrical lipsticks and lip pencils together, this present invention may be attached to lipsticks of various shapes and sizes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0020] This invention provides an improved mirror that attaches and detaches easily to the wide variety of lip cosmetic containers on the market today, and also provides the user with an aesthetic value and accessory-like quality. The present invention allows the user to apply lip cosmetics accurately and conveniently in a single step. The present invention attaches generally to the cap of a lipstick, by slipping the ring-like portion over the lipstick. The user then only needs to remove the cap that the present invention is attached to with one hand and then view their image on the cap while applying the lip cosmetic with the other hand. Closing the cap ends the procedure without using a hand-held mirror or having to go to a wall mirror. Once the invention is attached to the lipstick, there are no more steps involved in being able to conveniently view one's lips at close range than is required in merely opening and closing the lipstick container. When the lip cosmetic is all used, the invention can be easily removed and attached to a new lipstick container of the user's choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1—Perspective view of the lipstick attachment without a lipstick.

[0022]FIG. 2—Side view of the lipstick attachment without a lipstick.

[0023]FIG. 3—Front view of the lipstick attachment as seen by a user without a lipstick.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The present invention consists of an elastic ring-like band to which is attached a mirror or some other member with a reflective surface (hereafter referred to as “mirror”). The elastic ring stretches onto a lipstick cap and is then ready to be used immediately.

[0025]FIG. 1—The circular ring-like band is elastic with a decoration of beads, 3 and other jewel-like materials being strung onto the elastic band. The decorated elastic band is attached to a mirror, 1.

[0026]FIG. 2—The circular ring-like band, 4 is attached to the mirror by way of 5, which outlines the approximate shape of a rubbery, silicone-type adhesive that upon drying acts as a gripping agent onto a particular lipstick container which is encircled by the band, 4. The gripping agent does not permanently adhere to the lipstick container, thus permitting the decorative mirrored lipstick attachment to be removed. This same silicone-type adhesive 6 is used on the opposing inner surface of the circular ring-like band also acting as a gripping agent onto a lipstick container. Decorative beads 2 and/or jewels are also glued all around the sides of the mirror, serving as a decorative frame.

[0027]FIG. 3—The mirror 1 as viewed by the user as it rests on the cap of a lipstick (not viewed). The beads 2, 3 and/or jewels used to decorate the attachment can be of many different types, designs, and colors to coordinate with the users' tastes and likings. 

What we claim as our invention is:
 1. A unitary ring-like band attached to a mirror that slides on and off of various types of lipstick containers and is comprised of the following: i. a decorative ring-like band that is crafted and comprised of beads, gems, jewelry-like items and is attached to the mirror; ii. the mirror having a plurality of shapes and designs may also have an assortment of decorative attachments to it such as beads around it; iii. the decorative ring-like band itself is comprised of an elastic material to be able to accommodate the variety of lip cosmetic container sizes, types, and shapes; iv. the inside of the ring-like decorative band has at least two points of dried silicone adhesive that functionally act to grip onto a particular lipstick and secure it in place as well as serving as the glue for the band to the mirror in manufacture.
 2. A removable unitary ring-like band with a mirror that provides the user with a close-range view of their lips while applying the lip cosmetic in one easy step by removing the lipstick cap and using it as the base for the mirrored unit.
 3. A unitary ring-like band with a mirror that is easily detachable, replaceable, and interchangeable with another unitary ring-like band of a different decorative design by sliding the assembly over any particular lipstick cap or lip cosmetic container, and later being able to remove it.
 4. A unitary ring-like band with a mirror that provides the user with many types of decorative colors and styles to suit the taste of an individual user for the many types of lipstick containers used. 